Religious Voluntarily Activities before Pre-Renaissance: An Applied Study in Oman

Voluntarism is an essential concept in Islam for the Islamic law (Shariaa) considers voluntarism as a core concept in Muslims' life. In other words, the Holy Quran, and the heritage (Sunnah) of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) have been ordering Muslims to perform voluntary works as individuals, groups, and communities in their daily life. The current research aimed to describe the religiously-based- voluntary activities and their role in the life of Omani people before Pre-Renaissance era (before 1970); it is well known that the Omani Society was in a pre-development stage at that time.
Based on a descriptive methodology, a snowball sample consisted of 50 elderly people (who participated in voluntary work) were interviewed. The data collection tool focused on collecting qualitative data about voluntary activities before 1970. The research introduced a valuable historical data about the voluntary works at that time.
Among the important findings of the current research:
1-Results of the current research described many religiously –based- voluntary activities before 1970 (which we call it Pre-Renaissance era in Oman). Unfortunately, some of these activities are going to disappear.
2-The results documented a part of religiously –dased- voluntary activities of individual, family, group, and tribes which are a part of the Omani culture before 1970.
Finally, one of the most important recommendations of the current research is to encourage religious awareness about voluntarism in Islam as it still the strongest motivations to meet emotional, physical, and spiritual needs.